Starting a Skateshop – Hotel Shows

So much of starting a skateshop revolves around developing relationships with the sales reps who are going to take care of you. Anything you can do to meet these people in person and get to know them is going to help. One event you can take advantage of is the “hotel show.”

What’s a hotel show? It’s when a bunch of reps get together in a hotel and have all the local shops come and check out new product. For example, today and tomorrow at an undisclosed location reps from DC, Adio, Fallen, Podium, Krew, and other companies will each have their own hotel room and they’ve got appointments set up to show their latest stuff.

For myself this is a great opportunity because I haven’t met any of these guys face to face, and there are also some reps I haven’t even been able to talk to on the phone or by email. I’m cruising up there for appointments with DC and Adio today, and hope to be able to meet with some of the other reps as well. This is all part of being serious about getting this shop started and letting the reps know you’re serious.

And of course it’s about the hope that someone will give you some free stuff. I could use some new shoes…